TEST
Miss Maitland’s Letters is the type of book I often hope to read when I open up a Regency Romance. The story is as old as Cyrano de Bergerac, or maybe older, but it’s told well here. Major Stephen Rutledge, the hero, is a casual acquaintance of Lieutenant Paul Clement, who becomes engaged while he is away fighting Napoleon. Paul’s fiancée, Lorna Maitland, is the daughter of a wool merchant, and his parents want him to marry her to save the bankrupt family estate. When he receives a letter from Lorna, he shows it to Stephen and tells him that he has no intention of answering it. You can guess what happens next – Stephen answers the letter himself, posing as Paul. Thus begins a correspondence that lasts for over a year and is cherished by both parties.
When the war ends, Lorna and her family are summoned to Paul’s home by his mother. The summons seems strangely formal to Lorna, who has gotten to know and love Paul through his letters. When she arrives at Paul’s home, she becomes even more confused. Paul seems so different and cold, and she and her father are treated poorly by Paul’s snobbish parents. At the same time, Paul has a guest visiting who is very friendly to her. His name is (you guessed it) Stephen Rutledge.
Stephen feels guilty about his deception during the war. But Lorna’s letters were such a comfort to him that he couldn’t bear to give them up. Now he feels he must at least make sure that she and Paul will suit. Unfortunately, it is immediately apparent that they will not. Stephen tries dropping a few hints to Lorna in the hopes that she will break off her engagement with Paul. Meanwhile, he spends a lot of time with her. Soon they are both thinking more of each other than anyone else. Lorna still feels guilty and confused. She can’t seem to get Paul alone for a heart to heart talk, and he seems absolutely nothing like his letters. Of course, to find real happiness, she must discover the real author of the letters – and forgive him for his deception.
This plot has been done before, but Kirkland’s hero and heroine make the story fresh and interesting. Somehow within these short pages Kirkland manages to give both characters life and personality. Lorna is comfortable with her life and her family, but she also longs for a family of her own. She’s a compassionate woman who developed a hobby of beekeeping so she could help injured veterans make ends meet. Stephen is equally likable. He supplies much of the humor in the book as he teases Lorna and her family, but behind his humor and confidence he too desires love and acceptance.
In addition to the primary love story, author Kirkland also manages to fit in a sub-plot involving Lorna’s distant cousin and her son, which really adds to the book. And though the sensuality never progresses beyond kisses, there is plenty of sexual tension in the novel. It’s romantic, but not steamy – a perfect addition to the One Foot on the Floor list.
I had a couple of minor quibbles with the book. The first is that the name Lorna was made up by R.D. Blackwell for the 1869 novel, Lorna Doone. Thus a Regency heroine could not have had such a name. The other problem lies in the supposed friendship between Paul and Stephen. There are no two ways about it; Paul is a total jerk. Stephen is a wonderful man, and it seems unlikely that he would waste his time with someone so snobbish and full of himself. Overall, however, Miss Maitland’s Letters is a satisfying Regency. The heart-warming hero and heroine make the plot work, and Stephen’s teasing is endearing and humorous. This is a book most Regency fans will enjoy.
Grade: B
Book Type: Regency Romance
Sensuality: Kisses
Review Date: 06/03/00
Publication Date: 2000
I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.